Diabetes Food Guide – Eating To Manage Diabetes

Having a diabetes food guide is important to help manage your condition
but this does not mean you must give up all of your favorite foods. A
diabetes food guide simply gives your diet structure so you can lead a
healthy life while controlling your condition.

The most important fact to understand is that your nutritional needs
are very similar to others, you do not need special foods or complex
diet strategies. “The key to a diabetes diet is eating in moderation,
sticking to regular mealtimes, and eating a variety of fruits,
vegetables, and whole grains.” (1)

Your diabetes food guide

A person dealing with diabetes needs to follow a healthy diet which
will include plenty of whole grains, green vegetables, whole fruits,
non-fat dairy products, lean meats, beans and fish. These foods are a
part of any healthy diet but are especially important to a diabetic
because these foods help decrease the risk of complicating factors
associated with diabetes such as heart disease and stroke.

The diabetes food guide helps provide confidence in food choices.
It is divided into 6 groups each of which vary in size. Each group is
discussed below.

Grains, beans, starchy vegetables, and pasta make up the largest
part of the food guide. This means that the diabetic diet should
include these foods in the largest amount during the day, allowing for 6
or more servings per day.

Vegetables of the non-starchy variety, including leafy greens,
carrots, peppers and other vegetables you would commonly see on a
dinner salad should be prominent in the diabetic’s diet with the goal of
consuming 3 to 5 servings each day.

Fruits are recommended at a rate of 2 to 4 servings a day.

Milk and non-fat dairy products should be consumed 2 to 3 servings a day.

The Meat group should be eaten at a rate of 2 to 3 servings per
day. This group includes cheese because it is similar in protein
and fat content of meat.

The smallest group in the diabetes food guide includes fats, sweet
foods and alcohol. These foods should be eaten less frequently.

In this diabetes food guide variety is the key to a healthy diet.
Each food group supplies the body with needed nutrients. Whether your
goal is to manage your existing condition or reduce your risk of
diabetes, you can still enjoy a varied diet that includes your favorite
foods. The foods you choose will fuel your body and keep it
functioning properly, so this food guide is the best way to regulate
your dietary needs.